Raila Odinga worked with friends and foes. He treated his voting blocs with respect, and they paid him back. For the last five elections, Luhyas ranked number one in voting for Raila. The Kamba did the same, election after election, in great numbers. Then came 2022. Raila was on the ballot a fifth time. ODM held governors, senators, MPs, MCAs — everything. And still, 700,000 Luo Nyanza voters stayed home. Stations were half-empty by midday. If Nyanza would not wake up for its own, why would it wake up for William Ruto because Oburu Oginga, Gladys Wanga, John Mbadi or Opiyo Wandayi said so?
A year since Raila’s death, the ODM map has shrunk. And recently, it exploded in Homa Bay. Violence rocked its bedrock and brought back memories of the worst post-election bloodshed 20 years ago. When leaders turn to intolerant rhetoric that fuels violence, they mutilate the former ODM leader’s legacy.
This is the same week we marked Raila’s first anniversary. Tremors are now hitting the ODM orbit harder than ever. It remains to be seen where the Odinga family will align. Winnie Odinga of East African Legislative assembly appears to favour Edwin Sifuna, who tops favourability because he carries the Odinga spirit. If the family defies Oburu’s Linda Ground, Ruto gets a double puncture in Luoland.
